Ian Hawkins

Ian Hawkins is a writer, speaker and presenter who tackles the big questions about how people and businesses can adapt in a world that is changing faster than ever before.

Born with a debilitating heart condition, Ian spent a lot of his early life in hospitals, witnessing first-hand how innovation and technology impacted the world. The experience left him with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder which he believes has given as much as it has taken, not least an understanding that everything we want to achieve in life lies on the other side of that which frightens us the most.

Describing himself as a ‘storyteller’, Ian’s career has seen him working for some of the UK’s best-known entertainers and comedy shows including The News Quiz and The Now Show, as well as making documentaries on locations such as Nicaragua, Chicago and Morocco. He has created heavyweight B2B content in print, film and audio, headed thought leadership projects for global consultancies and coached high profile speakers, including cabinet ministers and CEOs.

Today Ian Hawkins uses stories to explore fundamental human values that will get us through a fast-changing world. Whether discussing the ‘data scientists’ of Ancient Egypt, exploring how to improve the workplace for remote workers or explaining how understanding the plot of Star Wars helped him drop 40kg, quit drinking and run a half marathon against doctors’ orders, Ian’s presentations are impactful, emotional and entertaining with seriously resonant takeaway messages.

Ian Hawkins is also the author of “Insider Secrets of Public Speaking”

Speaking topics   

INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY AND TRANSFORMATION

New technology is transforming how data is understood and used – and in turn, how businesses operate. The digital transformation revolution has impacted every industry, and businesses are facing a stark choice: keep up or become obsolete. But innovation and disruption aren’t new and organisations are fundamentally human endeavours. In presentations, Ian looks at case studies from recent and distant history, draws out the lessons that are relevant today, and gives an insight into the near future. Audiences are left with plenty to think about, ideas for shaping their strategy for surviving and thriving in an unknowable future – all while avoiding the technology tail from wagging the business dog.

MENTAL HEALTH AND CHANGE

After COVID, there is a renewed impetus for businesses to become better places to work, that truly enable people to work to the top of their skills and thrive. Such efforts can only deliver positive benefits to organisations. Drawing on personal experience from living with PTSD, psychology research and best practice from organisations around the world, Ian looks at practical ways people can improve their working environments with techniques that can be put in place immediately. Ian also speaks on change and looks at how small, sustainable changes are able to make a huge impact on individuals, teams and the world at large. Ian shares his own journey through tough times, showing that however limited our choices may be, we can still be in charge of our own destiny.

STORY/CHANGE
In a transforming world, how to change is fundamental to success as an organisation and as an individual. Unfortunately, many businesses struggle to implement change just as many individuals find it hard to break patterns of behaviour that are harmful or prevent them from reaching full potential.

In STORY / CHANGE, Ian Hawkins shows how to be in charge of change 

Based on the idea that behaviour is driven by the stories that we tell ourselves, Ian shows how these stories work and how they can propel us towards change or hold us back and make change impossible.  In an interactive and entertaining presentation, Ian gives audiences plenty of ‘a-ha’ moments and the tools to make lasting, meaningful change wherever it needs to happen – before they have even left their seats.

Ian draws on movie plots, business stories and his own experience of overcoming adversity to illustrate how stories work, what they mean and how we can take control of our own story. He delivers motivation, inspiration and actionable insights into how to flip resistance to change to a world of new possibilities –  without losing sight of core values.

PRESENTING AND MODERATING

A good presenter is the glue that holds an event together, managing expectations for the audience and providing vital information that helps the day run smoothly. Prior to the event, they are also able to advise on agenda, content and maximising impact of the key messages. Moderators are able to interview speakers, provide a voice for the audience and generate a productive atmosphere. Ian Hawkins has experience of both roles across live and online events from conferences to webinars, awards ceremonies and workshops.